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Practical Uses of QIAT Session 3: State, Regional and Local Programs using QIAT to Improve and Sustain AT Service Delivery – 60 minutes

Description:

The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) describe the characteristics of high-quality assistive technology services as they are provided in school settings. The eight service areas include: Consideration of AT Needs, Assessment of AT Needs, AT in the IEP, AT Implementation, Evaluation of Effectiveness of AT, AT in Transition, Administrative Support for AT, and AT Professional Development. For more than 15 years the indicators have been used in a variety of ways to assess assistive technology services and guide improvement efforts.

Joan Breslin-Larson, M.Ed., is the supervisor for low incidence disabilities and special education workforce at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), where she has worked since 1999. She brings many years of experiences as an independent assistive technology consultant and adult educator to her work at MDE. Joan is the parent of 3 children, all of whom are now adults, one of whom had an IEP.

Diana Foster Carl, M.A., L.S.S.P., is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in Texas with more than 30 years’ experience in various capacities in public education. Diana is a former Director of Special Education Services at Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, Texas and was lead facilitator of the Texas Assistive Technology Network for twelve years. Currently, Diana contracts with CAST as the Special Projects Coordinator for the National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials. Diana’s daughter has cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair for mobility.

The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) describe the characteristics of high-quality assistive technology services as they are provided in school settings. The eight service areas include: Consideration of AT Needs, Assessment of AT Needs, AT in the IEP, AT Implementation, Evaluation of Effectiveness of AT, AT in Transition, Administrative Support for AT, and AT Professional Development. For more than 15 years the indicators have been used in a variety of ways to assess assistive technology services and guide improvement efforts.

This AbleNet University webinar series will describe practical ways that parents, families and advocates; school districts and; state and regional programs use the QIAT Indicators and resources on behalf of children with disabilities who use assistive technology.

Session 2: How can the QIAT help school districts as they work to offer high quality assistive technology services aligned to federal, state and local mandates? How can QIAT be used as a tool for assistive technology service providers as they evaluate and work to continually improve their services? This session will address these questions and offer many examples of ways that QIAT has been used at a school-district level.

Foss has a B.S. from Fort Hays State University and a M. Ed. from the University of Kansas. She has been a special educator for 35 plus years in classrooms for students with severe multiple differences, autism, trainable mental differences, physical differences, and for the last 20 plus years as an AT resource facilitator for the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas. She has certifications in regular elementary education; trainable mentally handicapped, educable mentally handicapped, and severely multiply handicapped. Terry is the co-author of Every Move Counts and Every Move Counts, Clicks and Chats.

Susan McCloskey, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist who worked for the PA Assistive Technology Center/PaTTAN in Pennsylvania and is now Chairperson of the Volusia Adaptive Assistive Technology Team (VAATT) in Daytona Beach, FL. She is a past Steering Committee member for ASHA's Division 12: Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Susan has consulted nationwide with teams whose focus has been to integrate assistive technology into the classroom. She has been a trainer of Environmental Communication Teaching (ECT) since 1989. She is currently involved in implementing the SCERTS project, focused on students on the Autism Spectrum, in her district and lives in Ponce Inlet, FL.

Kathy Lalk has a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation, a M.S. in Educational Technology; and an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification by RESNA. Kathy works as an assistive technology specialist for a public school district. Her work includes support of students with disabilities, their families and their educational team in the consideration, implementation and evaluation of the use of assistive technology. Kathy is a Recreation Therapist; Lekotek Leader, CompuPlay Leader; Supervisor in Infant/Toddler program; and parent of 3 children.

The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) describe the characteristics of high-quality assistive technology services as they are provided in school settings. The eight service areas include: Consideration of AT Needs, Assessment of AT Needs, AT in the IEP, AT Implementation, Evaluation of Effectiveness of AT, AT in Transition, Administrative Support for AT, and AT Professional Development. For more than 15 years the indicators have been used in a variety of ways to assess assistive technology services and guide improvement efforts.

This AbleNet University webinar series will describe practical ways that parents, families and advocates; school districts and; state and regional programs use the QIAT Indicators and resources on behalf of children with disabilities who use assistive technology.

Session 1: Many families of children with disabilities can imagine benefits of technology use for their children. Some are even using technology at home that is not being used at school yet. While IDEA requires the provision of AT for students who need it, it can sometimes be challenging to know how best to advocate for assistive technology devices and services. Parents and guardians are discovering that the QIAT Indicators can be a useful tool. This session will describe ways family members can use the QIAT Indicators for working within school district's procedures to ensure high quality assistive technology services for their children.

Gayl Bowser’s work as an independent consultant focuses on the integration of technology into the educational programs of students with disabilities. Ms. Bowser provides assistive technology consultation, training and technical assistance throughout the United States and internationally. Gayl has co-authored numerous publications about assistive technology services and is a member of the leadership team of the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Consortium. She is a member of the faculty for Portland State University and the University of Oregon. You can learn more about Gayl on her blog at http://www.integrateat.com

Kelly is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. She has a BS in Special Education from Millersville University & an MS in Educational Technology with emphasis in Rehabilitation/Special Education Technology from The Johns Hopkins University. Her continuing education & research is in the area of Adult Education & Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning from California State University - Northridge. Kelly has been a teacher, para-educator, instructional media specialist, assistive technology specialist in early education, school & university settings. She has worked for a statewide AT project & has been an instructor in university courses.

Since 1986 Kelly has presented at schools, conferences, & to families in 48 states and internationally (Australia, Canada, South Africa). She speaks on a wide-range of topics including augmentative communication, computer access, electronic literacy, study skills, AT assessment & implementation strategies. Each year, she works with approximately 50 school-based teams & families supporting students’ implementation of AAC & literacy implementation in the classroom. Kelly is also the relative to individuals with CP, Aspergers & acquired disabilities, which impacts her perspective on the field. She is available to do seminars, webinars, consultations & workshops.